Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

What is the Jubilee?

The Jubilee Year was originally intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields. The concept of “Jubilee” has its origins in the Book of Leviticus as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home.

Today, Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope.”

As “Pilgrims of Hope,” we are asked to carry hope in our heart, and bring hope to others. There are many ways to participate in the Jubilee Year, including right here in the Diocese of Venice!

How can I participate in the Jubilee?

Catholics in Southwest Florida can celebrate and participate in the 2025 Jubilee by making a special pilgrimage to Rome or designated shrine in the United States, or by engaging in local Jubilee activities right here in the Diocese of Venice.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane has designated five Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Venice. By visiting one of the Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese and participating in its offerings of Mass, Adoration, Confession, or other activities, one can celebrate the Jubilee, and gain the Jubilee’s plenary indulgence.

A variety of other special Jubilee celebration opportunities will be offered throughout the Diocese, which will be regularly listed and updated here.

Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Venice

Epiphany Cathedral
310 Sarasota Street, Venice

St. John XXIII Parish
13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers

St. Paul Parish
1330 East Oak Street, Arcadia

St. John the Evangelist Parish
625 111th Avenue North, Naples

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center
3989 South Moon Drive, Venice

What are the Holy Doors?

The Holy Door is perhaps the most powerful sign of the Jubilee, since the ultimate aim of the pilgrim is to pass through it. The opening of the door by the Pope constitutes the official beginning of the Holy Year. Originally, there was only one door, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Later, to allow as many pilgrims as possible to take part in the Jubilee experience, the other Roman Basilicas also opened their own Holy Doors. These Holy Doors, all located in Rome, are the only Holy Doors of the Jubilee.

In crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, the pilgrim is reminded of the passage from chapter 10 of St John’s gospel: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.

Traveling to Rome?

If you are headed to Rome for the Jubilee Holy Year, the Bishops’ Office for United States Visitors to the Vatican, sponsored by the Pontifical North American College and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, provides information to help you plan your Rome pilgrimage so that it may be a truly prayerful experience.

Additionally, be mindful of the new visa requirements (linked here) for U.S. citizens (and others) entering the European Union, starting in 2025. For those from other countries (outside the U.S.) who need additional visas for travel to Europe, note the special Jubilee tourism visa process (linked here).

What is the Jubilee Indulgence?

The Jubilee Indulgence is a concrete manifestation of God’s mercy and is a gift of grace specific to the Holy Year.

An indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. It is not a forgiveness of sin but the remission of punishment for sins already forgiven. It may apply either to oneself or to souls already in purgatory.

“. . . a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy . . . ” Pope Francis

This treasury of grace entered human history in the witness of Jesus and the saints, and by living in communion with them our hope for our own forgiveness is strengthened and becomes a certainty.

The Jubilee indulgence allows us to free our hearts from the weight of sin because the reparation due for our sins is given freely and abundantly.

For further information, review the “Indulgences” section (nos. 1471 to 1479) of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, available online here.

How do I gain an Indulgence?

Pilgrimage

The Apostolic Penitentiary’s Decree on the Granting of the Indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025 indicates that the Faithful may obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if they undertake a pious pilgrimage to a Jubilee Site, including those designated by their Bishop. The person seeking the plenary indulgence must participate in Holy Mass or any of the following: celebration of the Word of God, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Via Crucis, the Marian Rosary, or a penitential celebration, which ends with individual confession.

Pious Visit to Sacred Places

Likewise, the faithful can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if, individually or in a group, they devoutly visit any Jubilee site and there, for a suitable period of time, engage in Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to Mary, the Mother of God, so that in this Holy Year everyone “will come to know the closeness of Mary, the most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children” (Spes non confundit, 24).

Additional Requirements

Further requirements to obtain an indulgence are that the person be detached from sin and repentant, receive the Sacrament of Penance and Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. These conditions may be met specifically at a Jubilee Site but should be done on the same day or within a few days of the indulgenced act.

The Importance of Penance in a Jubilee Year

The Jubilee Indulgence may also be obtained through initiatives that put into practice the spirit of penance which is, in a sense, the soul of the Jubilee.

The Diocese of Venice will offer additional, Diocesan-wide times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent. Confession will be offered throughout the Diocese on Friday, April 11 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 am until noon.

Additional examples of putting into practice the spirit of penance include carrying out more frequent works of charity and mercy. An Indulgence may be obtained, for example, by means of a visit, for an appropriate amount of time, to our brothers and sisters who are in need or in difficulty, in a sense making a pilgrimage to Christ present in them. More examples include:

Abstaining at least one day a week from futile distraction, such as social media or television
By donating a proportionate sum of money to the poor
By supporting works of a religious or social nature, especially in defense and protection of life in all its phases
Supporting the quality of life of young people in difficulty, the needy or lonely elderly people
Dedicating a reasonable portion of free time to volunteer activities that are of service to the community

Additional Opportunities to Participate in the Jubilee in the Diocese of Venice

Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Eastern Deanery February 15

A Eucharistic Pilgrimage will visit the parishes of St. James, St. Catherine, Our Lady of Grace, St. Michael, and St. Paul, on Saturday, Feb.15, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to respond to the call of the Eucharistic Revival Mission and celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis. The pilgrimage begins at 7:30 a.m., at St. James Parish, 3380 Placid View Drive, Lake Placid, and will include Mass, a Eucharistic Procession and breakfast. Pilgrims will then travel by their own vehicle to St. Catherine Parish, 820 Hickory St., Sebring, for a 10 a.m. Eucharistic Procession. Next will be at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 595 E. Main St., Avon Park, for a noon Eucharistic Procession, followed by lunch. Pilgrims will then proceed to St. Michael Parish, 408 Heard Bridge Road, Wauchula, for a 3 p.m. Eucharistic Procession, followed by snacks. The final stop will be at St. Paul Parish, 1330 E. Oak St., Arcadia (this is a designated Diocesan Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Site), for a 6 p.m. Mass, which will be followed by food. Pilgrims can participate in as many of the stops as they wish. For more information, contact Sister Maria Nikopoia, SSVM, at m.nikopoia@servidoras.org or call 863-232-9284.

Theology on Tap in Sarasota February 20

Theology on Tap, a monthly program for young adults in their 20s and 30s, provides an opportunity to explore faith topics in a relaxed and social setting in the Sarasota area. Theology on Tap will next gather at 7 p.m., Feb. 20, 2025, at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, Sarasota. The speaker for February is Father Daniel Scanlan, Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota. His talk is titled: “Pilgrims of Hope: Reflection on the Jubilee Year 2025.” The evening begins with food and refreshments with presentations, and discussions about the Catholic Faith beginning about 8 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Please email Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org with any questions.

Youth Jubilee Adoration Nights March 22 and May 2

Youth Jubilee Adoration Nights present young Catholics the opportunity to take part in group Eucharistic Adoration as part of the Jubilee Year. The evenings include prayer and conclude with Benediction. There will also be the opportunity to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While these special Youth Jubilee Adoration Nights are geared toward younger Catholics, with youth-centric music and talks, all are welcome. Each Adoration Night is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Remaining opportunities to participate are Saturday, March 22, St. Patrick Parish, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota and Friday, May 2, St. Paul Parish, 1330 E. Oak. St., Arcadia. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested at https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/jubilee-2025-adoration-nights-. For more information, contact Andres Prias at prias@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-441-1122.

Twenty-Four Hours for the Lord March 28

On March 28 during the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father has asked that Churches observe the 24 Hours for the Lord event. Many Parishes in the Diocese of Venice will observe this day, offering 24 consecutive hours of Adoration, and additional times for the Sacrament of Confession. Check with your local Parish!

Eucharistic Conference in Diocese of Venice March 29

As part of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival called for by the Bishops of the United States, and part of the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Venice will host its third Eucharistic Conference March 29, 2025, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The theme for the daylong event is “Becoming Eucharistic Missionaries” and it offers an opportunity to celebrate your Catholic faith with others and be inspired during this Jubilee Year. The Eucharistic Conference will feature dynamic presentations by nationally renowned Catholic speakers including Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Mary Ann Wiesinger-Puig, and Andrés Arango. There will also be breakout sessions in Spanish. The event will include Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane. In addition, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the opportunity for Confession, as well as Catholic vendors and exhibitors. Cost to attend is $35 per person and includes lunch. To register, visit https://dioceseofvenice.regfox.com/eucharistic-conference For more information, contact Jim Gontis at 941-486-4754 or gontis@dioceseofvenice.org.

Additional Opportunities to Participate in the Jubilee in the United States

National Shrines and Pilgrimage Sites

Formed in 1990 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate (NASPA) is an association of shrines that have been designated as national Catholic shrines or that have been designated diocesan shrines. Those not able to pilgrimage to Rome may also obtain a Jubilee Indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to a sacred Jubilee site, including those identified in your Diocese by your Bishop, or any national minor basilica, Marian sanctuary, or national sanctuary.

View U.S. Shrine Holy Sites

For More Information About the Jubilee Holy Year

For more information about the Jubilee Holy, visit the official Jubilee websites of the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), accessible via the buttons below.

Celebrating the Jubilee Year